In the first half of the year, electricity losses in Uzbekistan's power grids amounted to 17.2% or 4.8 billion kWh, while natural gas losses reached 7.6% or 797 million cubic meters. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced this at a meeting on July 21.
The head of state noted that insufficient work is being done to increase revenue by reducing network losses. At the same time, developing the country's energy infrastructure over the next ten years will require $8 billion.
The meeting also noted that labor productivity at regional gas enterprises is 1.5–2 times lower than in neighboring countries.
President Mirziyoyev had previously raised the issue of high energy losses at an April meeting, where it was reported that electricity losses exceeded 20% in 44 districts. He ordered the dismissal of heads of power grid enterprises who had "failed to draw conclusions" and tasked the new management with reducing losses by at least half.
At a February 2024 meeting, it was highlighted that Uzbekistan consumes 2.5 times more energy to produce $1 of GDP than the global average. At that time, electricity grid losses were estimated at 14%, and natural gas losses at over 7%.
The World Bank estimated Uzbekistan's technical losses in distribution power grids at approximately 13% in 2024. According to the bank, more than half of the distribution infrastructure has been in use for over 30 years, leading to overloads, electricity losses, and accidents.
In early July, the president was also informed that 220,000 households in 881 mahallas are being switched from a three-stage gas supply system to a two-stage one. One of the project's goals is said to be reducing technological gas losses.
The condition of the main gas transportation infrastructure remains a separate issue. According to the World Bank, if modernization is not carried out, total losses in the Uztransgaz network could reach 1.75 billion cubic meters by 2030. This corresponds to approximately $228 million in lost revenue. This estimate refers to accumulated losses under a scenario without necessary work.
Source: www.gazeta.uz